How to Prepare for Your Engagement Photo Session - 3 Tips
Your partner has finally proposed and it was the most beautiful moment ever, something you’ve dreamt about your entire life. Now comes the fun part – after settling on a venue and a photographer, you get to capture your love in beautiful photos during an engagement photo session!
While some people are beyond thrilled about taking engagement photos, some are more than a little nervous – so nervous they question if they even need the photos in the first place. They’re scared they’re going to look bad and end up with the type of engagement photos that are posted in a clickbait article titled “The Most Awkward Engagement Photographs You’ve Ever Seen…Look at That Guy in Slide #9!”
Then you have the couples who love being photographed. The photos are utter perfection, like they came straight from a magazine. You know the photos I’m talking about. The couple looks madly in love, the lighting is perfect, and the location is gorgeous. In other words, the vibes are immaculate.
Well, with the right photographer and a few preparation tips, your photos can look perfect too.
Think of an engagement photo session as a trial run before your wedding. It gives you the chance to get comfortable with your partner in front of the camera. An engagement session also allows you the opportunity to connect with your wedding photographer.
To get the best engagement photographs possible, follow these three tips to help you prepare before your session.
Decide on a Location
First thing’s first: Find out where your photographer is willing to travel. Then find out if the wedding package you signed up for includes more than one location.
Then, it’s time to decide on a location (or two). Your location plays such a big role when it comes to the aesthetic of your shoot – whether it’s dreamy and bright or dark and moody. Maybe you want something rustic, maybe you want something elegant. You may even want lifestyle photos at home or in the middle of a coffee shop. The location(s) you choose should fit the style of photos you want.
Often, couples choose a spot that’s special to them for a particular reason. In your case, it could be where you first met, where your partner proposed, or where you first professed your love to one another. If that spot is a dingy bar, you might want to choose somewhere else. Obviously, you want to choose something fairly picturesque.
Consider locations you visit together often or spots that make you two feel the most like you. For example, I’ve had couples ask me to shoot everywhere from the local park where they had their first date to their family property because it’s where they felt most comfortable.
It’s also nice to tie in a little detail or memento of your relationship. Most recently, I shot a couple who wrapped themselves up in a cow-patterned blanket to show their love of farming. Some people even bring their pets along! (Just make sure the place you’re shooting at is pet-friendly.)
You could also choose a location you simply find beautiful or one that embodies your interests. Love flowers? Shoot at a botanical garden. Always loved the beach? Grab your photographer and get ready to make a few waves.
Other couples let their photographer select some of their favorite spots to shoot. The best part of going this route? They can take you to some sweet hidden gems.
2. Choose the Season for Your Engagement Session
Couples usually try to get their engagement photos taken at least four to six months prior to their wedding. This provides ample time to get the edited photos back, print them, and use them for save the dates and wedding invitations.
If you’ve just gotten engaged and you’re getting married in six months, that doesn’t give you a lot of breathing room to be picky about the season in which you take your engagement photographs. But, if your wedding is a year or longer away, you have some time to play around with.
A lot of couples choose the season they love most or the one that suits the style of photos they want. The blooms in spring make for romantic, whimsical photos while an engagement session in the middle of a sunny June day is playful and nostalgic. If you’re looking for something a bit moodier and classic, consider a fall session or a shoot in the dead of winter with a light snowfall.
It’s important to consider both the time of year and the time of day you’ll be taking your engagement photos. It might be a little difficult to get photographs at the lake during the coldest winter months in Minnesota. While doable, it’ll be frigid. You may want to choose a different location instead or hold off on taking the photos until the temperature warms if you’re set on that spot. For instance, the lake might be absolutely gorgeous in the fall when the leaves change color.
Choose the most flattering time of day – whether that means early morning as the sun is rising or golden hour. Your photographer will be able to help you figure this part out.
3. Carefully Select Your Outfit(s)
Now comes the hard part: deciding what to wear!
Trying to choose an outfit or two for your engagement photo session isn’t easy. To start, think about your location, theme, and the season the photos will be taken in. If you want classy, elegant photos, your outfit should match that style (i.e. Choose to wear a dress and heels rather than sweatpants). If you’re going for a rustic theme and the photos will be taken in the fall, denim paired with sweaters and boots is perfect. Make sure you’re both wearing a similar style, too. For example, one of you shouldn’t be wearing a suit and tie while the other one wears ripped jeans and a t-shirt.
The hues you choose to wear to your session can be a game changer. For starters, you shouldn’t wear a color that matches your background color (ex. wearing green in a forest). Neutral colors are almost always a good idea, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play with color or patterns – you just have to be careful how you do it.
Instead of matching your partner perfectly, wear colors that complement one another. They don’t have to match perfectly, but they should look good together.
Patterns are okay as long as they’re basic and only one of you is wearing one. For example, maybe your partner wears a plaid button down and you wear a solid-colored dress. To coordinate, you could match your dress to one of the colors in your partner’s shirt. You both shouldn’t wear patterns.
Once you’ve nailed down the colors, make sure you wear something you feel comfortable in. Now isn’t the time to try out the latest trend. Know your body type and what looks good on you.
If you’re unsure what to wear, talk to your photographer before you show up with half your closet in tow or in a bold outfit that won’t photograph well.
Creating Lasting Memories
Preparing for your engagement photo session can greatly enhance the overall experience and result in stunning photos that capture your love and excitement. By following these three tips, you can ensure a successful session:
Decide on a location
Choose the season
Carefully select your outfit(s)
Remember, an engagement photo session is not only about capturing beautiful images but also about getting comfortable with your partner and establishing a connection with your photographer. Communication with your photographer throughout the process is key to ensure a successful and enjoyable session. With these tips in mind, you can prepare for your engagement session with confidence and create lasting memories of this special time in your lives.
Stay tuned for more tips about how to feel confident during your session and tips on looking natural. Until then, don’t hesitate to reach out to me for more advice.
